Gyeongnam Police Agency Intensifies Crackdown on Opium Poppy and Marijuana Illegal Cultivation

Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Police Agency

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Woo Jong-wook] The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency has launched an intensive crackdown on illegal cultivation activities in anticipation of the opium poppy and hemp harvest seasons.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 30th that starting from the 1st of next month, it will intensively crack down on illegal cultivation of opium poppy and hemp in rural garden plots, concealed urban spaces, and building rooftops.

The police plan to completely block the supply of narcotics by cracking down on illegal cultivation and trafficking offenders during the opium poppy blooming period and hemp harvest season, and to suppress demand through enforcement and guidance.

In particular, the focus will be on cracking down on illegal cultivation of opium poppy and hemp, manufacturing, selling, and using opium and marijuana, as well as illegal removal of hemp from permitted cultivation areas.

During the intensive crackdown period, intelligence gathering through inquiries will be strengthened in areas suspected of illegal cultivation and illegal farming activities.

Additionally, joint inspections of ornamental opium poppy parks and other sites will be conducted in cooperation with related agencies, and three-dimensional and effective enforcement will be carried out through searches of mountainous and island areas using drones.

Furthermore, to promote awareness among residents, police stations will actively utilize their internet homepages and electronic display boards, and preventive activities will be carried out by posting promotional leaflets at village halls, senior centers, and bus stops.

In cases of serious offenders such as large-scale cultivators, arrest and investigation will be conducted in principle, while for first-time offenders, factors such as intent, cultivation purpose, circumstances, area, and quantity will be carefully reviewed to decide whether to file charges, aiming to carry out enforcement that gains public sympathy.

A Gyeongnam police official stated, “It is important for the community to share the awareness that illegal cultivation of opium poppy and hemp is a crime,” and added, “We will thoroughly guarantee confidentiality and personal protection for crime reporters and informants.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.